Local Place Plans

What help can communities get with Local Place Plans?

Community bodies need to take the lead in preparing Local Place Plans.  Midlothian Council have placed information on the planning pages of its website to act as an information hub for parties interested in Local Place Plans.  Midlothian Council can provide assistance and support, including:

Meetings:

• initial meeting
• draft plan meeting, subject to officer availability

Informal advice in relation to:

• preparing plans
• relevant resources, guidance, precedents and templates
• events, training and knowledge sharing opportunities
• funding opportunities
• existing data for the local area
• relevant local and national planning policies
• best practice for community engagement (including the use of Place Standard)
• compliance with legislative and validation requirements
• online district register and map of all valid Local Place Plans

Midlothian LPP Information and Guidance document:

Midlothian LPP Guide (PDF)

• summary of LPP context and procedures
• links to information sources 
• links to mapping sources

National Guidance

The Scottish Government Planning Circular 1/2022 (Local Place Plans) provides guidance on the preparation, submission and registration of Local Place Plans.  The Circular updates guidance contained within the Draft ‘How to' Guide.  An updated version of this will be produced by the Scottish Government.  Further Local Place Plans guidance is available on the Our Place and PAS (Planning Aid Scotland) websites.  The Scottish Futures Trust 'Place Guide' clarifies the process for improved place-based decision making.

• Planning Circular 1/2022 (Local Place Plans)
• Our Place - Local Place Plans
• Local Place Plans Draft 'How to' Guide
• PAS - Community-Led Plans and LPP Guide (2022)
• Scottish Futures Trust Place Guide (2021)

Engagement Resources

The preparation of a Local Place Plan requires the community body, preparing the plan, to undertake community engagement and consultation.  The following tools and resources can assist with this process:

• Place Standard tool
• Place Standard: children’s version
• Place Standard: young people’s version
• Place Standard: with a climate lens
• Place Standard: with air quality lens
• National Standards for Community Engagement
• SP=EED practical guide to engagement

Third Sector Groups

Third sector, voluntary and charity groups, which may be able to assist and advise include:

• Planning Aid Scotland (PAS) - Community-Led Plans
• Scottish Community Development Centre (SCDC)

Relevant Plans and Strategies

Planning Policy

• National Planning Framework 4 (Adopted 13 February 2023) (NPF4)
• Midlothian Local Development Plan (Adopted 07 November 2017) (MLDP)

Community Plans

• Single Midlothian Plan 2023-27 (Local Outcomes Improvement Plan)
• Climate and Environment
• Midlothian Climate Change Strategy 2020

Frequently asked questions

• Find out more in our frequently asked questions section

More information and contacts

If your community is interested in preparing a Local Place Plan or you would like to find out more please contact us using the details below.

We will also post updates on:

• Twitter: @Midgov
• Facebook: @MidlothianCouncil

For more information on development plans and policies, visit our web pages:

• Midlothian Local Development Plan (adopted 2017)
• Midlothian Local Development Plan 2